Order excursions Online. Acropolis of Athens - getting to know the main symbol of Greece

In ancient times, on the high hill of the Acropolis, the city of Kekropia was erected, which later received a new name - Athens. It is better to admire the Acropolis in Athens at sunrise or sunset, it is at this time that the ruins of the former great city come to life and seem to be rebuilt.

History of the Athenian Acropolis

Let's take a look at the history of the city. King Kekrops is considered the founder of Athens. This great man is credited with the foundation of 12 Greek cities, the introduction of a ban on human sacrifice, and, most importantly, the introduction of the cult of Zeus the Thunderer. The arrival of the greatness of the goddess Athena occurs during the reign of another king - Erechtonius, it was during his reign that the city was renamed Athens.

Approximately in the II millennium BC, the territory of the Acropolis completely contained Athens. It was surrounded by powerful walls. On the western sloping side, a particularly strong fortification of Enneapilon "Nine-Gate" was erected. Outside the walls was the palace of the Athenian kings. It was in it that the sanctuary of Athena was later placed, and as the city grew, the Acropolis became religious center dedicated to the patroness of the city.

Architecture of the Athenian Acropolis

The construction of the ensemble of the Athenian Acropolis began after the great victories of the Greeks over the Persians. In 449, Pericles' plan to beautify this area was approved. Athens Acropolis was to become a great symbol of a great victory. No money or material was spared. Pericles could get whatever he wanted for this business.

Tons of material were brought to the main hill of the Greek capital. It was considered pride for everyone to work at this facility. Several great architects were involved here, but the main role assigned to Phidias.

Propylaea of ​​the Athenian Acropolis

The architect Mnesicles created the buildings of the Propylaea, which are the entrance to the Acropolis, decorated with porticos and a colonnade. A similar structure introduced the visitor sacred place in absolutely new world not like everyday reality. At the other end of the Propylaea, a statue of the patroness of the city of Athena Promachos, executed personally by Phidias, was installed. Speaking of Phidias, one can say that it was from his hands that the famous statue of Zeus came out in Olympia, which became one of the seven wonders of the world of the ancient world. The helmet and spear of the warrior Athena were seen even by sailors sailing through Attica.

Parthenon - the first temple

The main temple of the Athenian Acropolis is the Parthenon. Previously, it contained another statue of Athena Parthenos, also made by Phidias. The statue was made in chrysoelephantine technique, like Olympian Zeus. But this miracle has not reached us, so it remains only to believe the rumors and images.

The columns of the Parthenon, made of marble, have lost their original whiteness over the centuries. Now its brownish columns stand out beautifully against the evening sky. The Parthenon was the temple of Athena Polias the Guardian. Such a name, due to the position of the building, was usually shortened to the Great Temple or even just the Temple.

The construction of the Parthenon was carried out in 447-428 BC under the leadership of the architects Iktin and his assistant Kallikrat, of course, not without the participation of Phidias. The temple was supposed to be the epitome of democracy. Great calculations were made for its construction, which is why the building was completed in just 9 years. Other decoration continued until 432.

Erechtheion - the second temple

The second temple of the Acropolis is the old Erechtheion, also dedicated to Athena. There was a functional difference between the Erechtheion and the Pantheon. The Pantheon was intended for public needs, the Erechtheion, in fact, was the temple of the priests.

The temple, according to legend, was built at the site of the dispute between Poseidon and Athena for the right to rule in Athens. The elders of the city were supposed to resolve the dispute, at their request, power was given to one of the gods, whose gift would be the most useful for the city. Poseidon made a stream of salt water from the hill of the Acropolis, while Athena grew an olive tree. The daughter of Zeus was declared the winner, and the olive tree was the symbol of the city.

In one of the rooms of the temple there was a trace of the impact of the trident of Poseidon on the rock. Near this place is the entrance to the cave, where, according to another legend, the snake of Athena lived, which is the personification of the glorious king-hero Erechthonius.

In the same complex there is the grave of Erechthonius himself, and in the western part of the temple there is a well with salt water, as if appeared at the behest of the same Poseidon.

Temple of Athena Nike

Athena in the Acropolis found its embodiment in another form - Athena Nike. The first temple dedicated to the goddess of victory was destroyed during the wars with the Persians, therefore, after the conclusion of the truce, it was decided to restore the sanctuary. The temple was built by Callicrates in 427-424 BC.

is the heart and main tourist attraction of Athens and Greece. Well visible from all sides (building is prohibited in
high-rise buildings so as not to block the view of Acropolis) it serves as an excellent reference point for moving around the city.

Annually Acropolis of Athens visited by millions of tourists and travelers from all over the world.

Acropolis from ancient Greek it is translated as a fortified place in the city.
The Acropolis is the oldest inhabited place in Athens. Already during the Archaic period, majestic temples and sculptures were located here, which the later generations of the Greeks considered the legacy of the Cyclopes. AT Mycenaean period(15 -13 in BC) Acropolis was the royal residence.

It was here that the residence of the legendary Theseus(the winner of the Minotaur), unless, of course, his personality was mythical.

During the Greco-Persian Wars Acropolis was completely destroyed by the Persians. The inhabitants of Athens swore an oath to restore the shrines only after the victory over the Persians and the expulsion of enemies from Hellas. In 447 BC under the guidance of the most famous sculptor on acropolis new construction began. , Temple of Nike, Erechtheion - these are the masterpieces that we enjoy to this day.

Bule Gate

This gate is named after the French architect Ernest Buhle, who in 1825 excavated the Acropolis. This is one of the two gates of the Acropolis, which were made in the fortress walls after the Heruli raid in 267.

Sanctuary of Aphrodite Pandemos

To the right of the Bule gate are ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite. At present, only the architrave, decorated with garlands and doves, remains from the temple.

Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia

This temple was in eastern part of the Acropolis, near the ruins of the Mycenaean walls. The temple was a Dorian colonnade with two U-shaped wings. The creation of the temple is attributed to Peisistratus, who came from the region of Brauronia,
where cult of Artemis was widespread. In the side wings of the temple's colonnade, two statues of the goddess were kept: the first is an ancient wooden statue depicting the goddess sitting on a throne, and the second, which was a creation sculptor Praxiteles.

Halkoteka

East of the Temple of Artemis was Halkoteka, a building that was used to store metal objects related to the cult goddess Athena. The building was built in the middle of the 5th century BC, and during the Roman period the building was reconstructed.

On the southern slope of the Acropolis is the oldest known theater theater of Dionysus(god of winemaking). According to legend, the inhabitants of Athens killed Dionysus when he arrived in Attica and gave wine to people for the first time, thinking that Dionysus was trying to poison them. Then they changed their minds and began to celebrate dionysia very violently - festivities in
the honor of the god they killed. In the end, this all led to the creation of the theater. It was in this theater that masterpieces were shown for the first time. Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes.

In the 6th century BC. ruled in Athens tyrant Peisistratus instilled the cult of Dionysus in Athens and organized the Great Dionysia, which were held during March-April. Around the same time in Athens a poet appeared Thespis, a native of the demos of Ikaria. He introduced the first actor in Dionysius and began to write texts himself, which
was read by the actor and members of the choir. Before Thespides, these texts were pure improvisation of the choristers. Thespis also began to devote texts not only to events from life Dionysus, but also to other heroes of Greek mythology and real historical characters. Actor's masks were also invented and introduced, since one and the same
the actor had to play many roles.

In the 4th century BC, during the reign Lycurgus, the wooden spectator rows were replaced with stone ones and have not changed since then. The stage of the theater has been rebuilt many times.

There are 78 spectator rows in the theater, which are divided by a passage into two zones. The passage is at the same time part of the Peripate - the path that surrounds the sacred rock acropolis.

The front marble spectator rows, 67 seats, were intended in ancient times for rulers, archons and priests. In the center of the front rows is the throne of the chief priest of the temple of Dionysus. Eleftheria.

Romans changed the theater twice. Once during the reign of Emperor Nero, in the 1st century AD and another time during the reign of Phaedrus, in the 3rd century AD.

The friezes that can be seen today on the proscenium of the theater depict scenes from the myths of Dionysus. The first frieze depicts the birth of a god: seated Zeus, and in front of him Hermes with the baby Dionysus in their arms, along the edges of Kurita they dance a combat dance with weapons in their hands. Then pictured Icarus sacrificing a goat to Dionysus, and
on the right, only Dionysus is depicted with his friend Satyr.

Temple of Augustus

Not far from the eastern entrance to the Parthenon was temple of Roma andaugust. The temple was built in 27 BC. when Octavian received the title of Augustus. It was a small round temple with a diameter of 8.50 meters and 9 Ionic columns. At the foot of the columns there was an inscription that said that the temple was dedicated to Roma and
Augustus from the grateful Athenians.

Sanctuary of Zeus Poliea

To the northeast of the Parthenon are Ruins of the Temple of Zeus. It consisted of a quadrangular enclosure, inside of which there was a separate fenced area with a small temple and a hall of gifts. In the temple in honor Zeus the Dipolia ritual was performed.

At the entrance to Acropolis there is also the theater of Herod Attica. Tiberius Claudius Herod Atticus was one of the richest Athenian citizens, as well as the Roman governor in the province of Asia. Among other things, he was a famous philosopher and teacher Marcus Aurelius.

In 161 AD in memory of his wife he built Odeon(theater) in
Athens. This is a perfectly preserved example of Roman architecture in Athens.
The theater had a stage 35.4 meters long, built on two floors and was
paved with white and black marble slabs from the Karista quarries.
The capacity of the theater was up to 5,000 people. The roof of the theater was made of cedar wood.

The theater premises were rebuilt and today the theater hosts Athens Festival, where the best theaters of the world present their art to the attention of the audience.

Copper statue of Athena

On the territory of the Acropolis there were many gifts and offerings from various cities and ordinary residents. was especially valuable a statueAthens. The statue was placed between Erechtheion and Propylaea and was 9 meters high. According to Pausanias, the spearhead of the statue and the gleam of her helmet were visible to the ships that sailed from Cape Sounion to Piraeus.

Odeon of Pericles

East of the theater of Dionysus was the famous Odeon of Pericles, built in 447 BC. and intended for music competitions. The Odeon was destroyed during the assault on the Acropolis by the legions of Sulla in 86 BC. and restored by the king of Cappadocia, Ariobarzanes II. Finally theater of Pericles was destroyed by the Heruli in 267 BC.

Between the theater of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herod Attica is a colonnade
Euminius II(King of Pergamon), which was built in the 2nd century BC. a gift to the Athenians. The colonnade had a roof in ancient times and was used by the inhabitants as a promenade for walking.

In the 5th century, with the advent of Christianity, it became the Church of Our Lady. After the conquest of Greece by the Turks, the temple was turned into a mosque, and then into an arsenal. was disassembled.

In 1687, during a shot from a Venetian ship, an explosion destroyed almost the entire central part, and in addition, during an unsuccessful attempt by the Venetians to remove the sculptures of the Parthenon, several statues were broken.

In the 19th century, the friezes and the remaining statues of the Parthenon were taken to England, where they can be observed in British Museum.

Acropolis Museum

Museum acropolis was opened in 1878. Initially, the museum building was located in a small room immediately behind the Parthenon.

The museum's collection consists of exhibits that were found during archaeological excavations. acropolis.

Its treasures include preserved parts of the friezes of the Parthenon as well as sculptures by Greek masters from the 5th century BC.

Museum exhibits displayed in chronological order. These are the pediment sculptures of temples acropolis with images of the battle of the gods with giants, scenes of the struggle of Hercules with various mythical creatures, as well as a sculpture of Moschophoros, or a young man carrying a calf on his shoulders (570 BC)

Among the exhibits of the museum is a well-preserved metope from the southern facade of the Parthenon, depicting the battle of the Lapiths with the centaurs. The gems of the museum are originals of Caryatids from the southern portico of the Erechtheion. The statues are stored in a room with a special temperature regime.

Memo to the tourist

Acropolis open daily from 8 am to 6:30 pm.

Acropolis opening hours may vary slightly depending on
season. On the Acropolis it is forbidden to carry any bags (you can leave them at the entrance to the Acropolis)

The entrance ticket costs 12 euros, but with this ticket you can also visit Agora and Temple of Zeus.

Acropolis on the map of Athens

Acropolis in Athens is business card Greece, tourists from all over the world come here. In terms of the number of ticket sales and attendance, it is not inferior to the Colosseum in Rome.

Despite past wars and natural disasters, it has stood for two thousand years (and will stand for the same amount) and still amazes the imagination with its majesty and perfection of forms.

Similar structures were built not only in, but also on the territory of Asia Minor (), in and Ancient Rome. The Acropolis is the elevated part of the city (built on a hill). It served as a refuge for the nobility in case of war. Palaces, government buildings, temples of patron deities were built on its territory. Despite the endured cataclysms, the Athenian Acropolis has been preserved better than any of the existing ones. To this day, active work is underway to restore it.

Story

Even in the archaic times, the first temples were laid. In VII-VI BC. active development of the hill began. It served as a royal residence. In 447 BC the rebuilding of the complex began by the famous sculptor of that time, Phidias. The complex received the architectural appearance that is known to us now. Gradually greatest monument culture dilapidated, Athens turned into a provincial city of the Roman Empire.

A panoramic walk along the street near the Acropolis is many times more interesting than the ruins themselves (:

In the Byzantine period, the temple of the goddess Athena, the patroness of the city (Parthenon) became a Christian church. With the advent of the Turks in the 15th century, the entire temple complex was turned into a mosque, and then into an ammunition depot and an arsenal. In the XIX century, Greece became an independent country, from that moment the ancient appearance of the Acropolis began to be actively restored. The buildings built on the territory in the Middle Ages and New Time were liquidated.

All the sculptures that are located on the territory of the Acropolis in Athens have been replaced by copies, the originals are kept, and the Acropolis Museum.

What does the Acropolis look like?

Unfortunately, at the moment it is ruins.. Yes, large-scale work is underway to restore its individual facilities, but the completion of the work is very far away.

The height of the hill on which the monument is built is 300 meters. Climbing on it, you will open beautiful view to Athens. The Acropolis consists of 21 elements, which are interconnected in one architectural ensemble.

Temple of the Parthenon in Athens

The Parthenon, the key temple of the Acropolis, is the best preserved. Created from white marble, it turned yellow over time. It is considered the oldest building in the world, because its age is two thousand years! Its history is the history and culture of all Greece.

Until recently, the Theater of Dionysus staged ancient Greek comedies and tragedies, but now it is partially closed for reconstruction (due to be completed in 2015).

The architecture of the Erechtheion temple has an unusual asymmetrical layout, and a lot of relics were found in it, which are stored in museums around the world.

Photo

Helpful information

Arrive at opening time or a few hours before closing time to skip the long ticket queue and walk around the complex without the heat. Stock up on water, you will have to climb a 300-meter hill. On the rise you will find a rather steep staircase, be careful.

The entrance ticket costs 12 euros, it can be purchased on the spot. Discounts for students and pensioners. The line is long, but it moves very fast. The ticket is valid for four days. If you don’t have enough energy to see everything at once, you can always return. In winter, on Sundays, admission is free.

Opening hours: from 8:00 to 20:00 hours, closed on Monday.

The fastest way to get there is by metro. Get to the Acropoli station, from there follow the signs that are at every step.

Acropolis on the map

Acropolis of Athens, Athens 105 58, Greece

The Acropolis of Athens is the oldest architectural monument in Greece, which is a unique object of ancient culture, a world heritage that has preserved its majesty and organic component.

The Greek word "Acropolis" consists of two particles: "acro" and "polis", which translates as "upper city". In other sources, one can find somewhat different, however, interpretations similar in meaning - “fortified city”, “fortress”.

The Acropolis of Athens is often referred to as the heart of Athens, the main tourist attraction in Greece is visited by millions of tourists every year from all over the world. In different historical periods, the territory of the fortification was repeatedly destroyed, the erected structures turned into ruins, suffered from ruthless robberies. The Acropolis of Athens served as a kind of fortress, the impregnability of which seemed to be taken care of by nature itself. The "Upper City" is located on a natural limestone hill with a flat top, its height is 156 m. The elevated platform has steep, steep slopes, so it remained impregnable for enemy troops. The Athenian acropolis did not need additional protection, the ascent to the plain was open only from the western side, in the direction where the coast was washed by the sea. Densely growing olive trees served as an additional defense.

In 1987, the list world heritage UNESCO added the Acropolis of Athens.

Using the surviving ruins of the Acropolis, scientists are bit by bit restoring entire historical periods of the Greek state, its cultural features, in particular, the formation of its capital. The founding of the first settlements dates back to such ancient times, which many consider mythical.

First settlements
The initial mention of the unique fortress dates back long before the onset of the classical period. During the archaic period, majestic temples, necessary religious objects, and sculptures were erected. During excavations, cultural samples were found corresponding to the era of the early and middle Bronze Age.

According to legend, the founder of the Acropolis is considered the first king of Athens - Kekrops, in his honor the elevated territory of the fortifications was often called "Kekropia" or "Kekrops" (cecropia). In the Mycenaean period, the walls of the residence of the ruler were lined with large stones. According to one version, the “Cyclops” did it, which is why the walls were called “Cyclopean”.

The era of the Middle Ages and the Archaic period

In the 7th century BC. in the Acropolis, the cult of the goddess Athena, who became the patroness of the city, became widespread. The area was occupied by the rulers - Eupatrides. Active construction unfolded closer to the VI century BC. during the reign of Peisistratus. The Propylaea were built, near which people's meetings later took place. The Council of Elders met in the area of ​​the Areopagus Hill. The first temple built in honor of the goddess Athena, like other divine structures, did not last long, they were destroyed during the Greco-Persian wars.

Construction under the direction of Pericles

Around 495-429 BC. power in Athens belonged to Pericles, an excellent strategist and leader of the democratic party sought to turn the city into a political and Cultural Center throughout Greece, further plans were to spread the democratic system to the rest of the Greek policies. During the economic and cultural heyday, between the Persian and Peloponnesian wars, great masterpieces were created, which are examples of art for many European countries. This period was called the Classical, from the word "classicos" - a sample. The famous sculptor Phidias became the head and author of the artistic development program.

The work was carried out according to a previously planned plan:

— Parthenon — main temple Athens Parthenos (447-438 BC);

- Propylaea - the solemn gate, the main entrance (437-432 BC);

- Temple of Nike Apteros (449-420 BC);

- Erechtheion Temple (421-406 BC);

- Statue of Athena Promachos.

The monuments of the Acropolis of Athens have survived various natural disasters for 20 centuries: fires, floods, earthquakes, numerous wars and enemy invasions.

Hellenistic and Roman period

During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, many of the existing buildings were repaired, mostly age damage and damage from military shelling.

During this period, several monuments glorifying the honor of foreign kings were erected. A little later, the construction of the Temple of Rome and Augustus began, the building was located near the Parthenon and had a round shape. The building was the last ancient object created on top of the hill and has cultural significance.

In the 3rd century there was a threat of a new invasion, so work was resumed to strengthen the walls and the main gate. The Acropolis was again used as a fortress.

Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman periods

In later periods, frequent changes took place on the territory of the Athenian Acropolis. During the Byzantine era, the main temple of the Parthenon was transformed into the Church of the Virgin Mary. During the Latin period, the government used the elevated fortifications as the administrative center of the city. The Parthenon served as a cathedral; the Ducal Palace was located on the territory of the Propylaea.

After the Ottoman conquest of Greece, the Parthenon was used as a garrison of the headquarters of the Turkish army, the Erechtheion temple was turned into a harem of the Turkish ruler. In 1687, the buildings of the Acropolis were everywhere damaged by fires and shelling during the Venetian-Turkish war. The main temple, on the territory of which there was a powder warehouse, received the most serious damage. One of the shells hit the Parthenon, only ruins remained from the building.

In 1821, the Greeks, fighting for independence with the Ottoman Empire, laid siege to the Acropolis of Athens in one of the battles. When the Turkish military began to run out of ammunition, they decided to open the columns of the Parthenon in order to get lead fortifications, then cut them into bullets. Upon learning of this news, the Greeks sent a shipment of lead to the opposite side, wanting to save the monument from destruction.

Having liberated the Athenian Acropolis, the new Greek government actively engaged in restoration work. cultural objects were taken under control, the buildings of later development were liquidated. The purpose of the reconstruction was to return the area to its original appearance.

Architectural Ensemble of the Acropolis

The main component that forms the city skyline of Athens is the Acropolis. It is not for nothing that in ancient times this territory was called a sanctuary; the famous cult center has become a unique monument of art.

Combining into a single whole, buildings and temples form a common ensemble, the composition has a characteristic proportionality. The presented architecture and numerous sculptures are the best example of the achievements of ancient Greek culture; here you can observe the finest modeling, complex architectural details and drawings.

Few people know that the construction of multi-storey buildings is prohibited in Athens. This decision is directly related to the Acropolis, which for hundreds of years has served as an indispensable guide for moving around the city. The attraction is visible from every corner and alley. People diligently cherish this tradition, because high-rise buildings can change a charming and inspiring panoramic view in a matter of months.

Proudly towering above the hill, the Parthenon is accessible for viewing even from such remote points as the islands of Salamis and Aegina. One of the first things that sailors saw when sailing to the shores was the brilliance of the spear and helmet of the statue of Athena the Warrior.

The outstanding ensemble of monuments of world art clearly demonstrates the greatness of ancient Greek culture, and at the same time, the emergence and formation of European civilization. Millennia later, the surviving remains of structures have not lost their historical value, and from the point of view of artistic value, they received the status of an “inaccessible” piece of art.

Plan of the area and characteristics of the cultural objects of the Acropolis

The compositional ensemble of the Athens Acropolis was built on a grand scale, the historical territory has unique features. The spacious area is difficult to cover with one glance. To this day, only a small part of the historical exhibits located in the open air has been preserved in its original form.

Plan of the Athenian Acropolis

1. Parthenon
2. Hecatompedon
3. Erechtheion
4. Statue of Athena Promachos
5. Propylaea
6. Temple of Nike Apteros
7. Eleusinion
8. Bravroneion
9. Halkoteka
10. Pandroseion
11. Arrephorion
12. Athenian altar
13. Sanctuary of Zeus Polyeas
14. Sanctuary of Pandion
15. Odeon of Herodes Atticus
16. Stoa of Eumenes
17. Asklepion
18. Theater of Dionysus
19. Odeon of Pericles
20. Temenos of Dionysus
21. Sanctuary of Aglaura

In the days of the ancient Greeks, it was possible to climb the Acropolis of Athens along a single narrow road. Based on defensive purposes, the entrance was made from the western side. The solemn gate of the Propylaea was built on the passage, the construction plan belonged to the architect Mnesicles. The gates were made of marble, ennobled with a wide staircase, two porticos, which alternately rushed towards the hill or the city. On the ceiling of the Propylaea, golden stars and a blue sky were applied. Initially, an 80-meter path served as an ascent to the top, the steps were made in the 1st century by the Romans during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Closer to the elevation of the slope was a transverse wall, in which the builders prudently made five entrances. The central passage was intended for solemn processions, the rest of the time it was closed with a bronze door. The gates were the original boundaries of the sanctuary.

The Propylaea is followed by the Temple of the Wingless Nike, the walls of a small marble structure have four columns. The construction of the building was planned to begin in 450, but it was only in 427 that the actual construction began, and the construction work took about 6 years. The architect Kallikrates decorated the temple with an elegant frieze sculptural ribbon depicting episodes of the battle of the Greeks with the Persians, images of the Olympian gods. Inside the temple was placed a wooden statue of the goddess of victory. The ancient Greeks portrayed Nike in an unusual way, the girl was without traditional wings, so that victory could not “fly away” from them. In her hands, the statue held a helmet and a pomegranate fruit, which symbolized the victorious world.

The greatest monument of art, the main element of the Acropolis ensemble is the temple of the goddess Athena, which is better known as the Parthenon. The length of the structure is about 70 m, the width is a little more than 30 m, columns 10 m high are placed along the perimeter.

Inside the temple was famous sculpture Athena-Virgo, its creator was the chief architect of the Acropolis - Phidias. The figure of Athena was 12 meters. The statue stood on a small pedestal, in her right hand was the image of the goddess of victory Nike, and in her left - a spear. The victorious spirit and majesty of the sculpture were given by additional elements, namely a shield, a helmet, an aegis, a luxurious attire, a symbolic mask of the Gorgon Medusa. The face and hands of the goddess were made of ivory, the weapons and elements of clothing were cast in gold, the natural brilliance of the eyes was achieved with the help of precious stones.

Another outstanding architectural monument era of ancient Greece is the Temple of Erechtein, its author remains unknown to this day. The building is located near the Parthenon. The origin of the temple is connected with interesting legend, which is deeply intertwined with the history of the city's name. The ancient shrine is dedicated to Athena, Poseidon, the famous king of Athens - Erechtheus. The first two fought for the right to patronize the city, then the Gods of Olympus offered everyone to make a gift for the inhabitants and a large Greek policy.
Under the terms, the patron was the one whose gift would be recognized as the best. Poseidon washed the shores of the city with sea water, and the goddess Athena presented an olive tree. The last gift was recognized as more valuable, in honor of the new patroness the policy was named Athens.

The Erechtein temple performed a kind of storage function, the most valuable items were collected here: a wooden statue of a warrior goddess, a sacred peplos, the altars of Ifest and Erechtheus. In this place, the main religious rites were performed. The building united several sanctuaries, but its size was small. The uniqueness of the temple lies in the fact that during construction, the western part of the building was deliberately made 3 meters lower than the eastern side. This technique was undertaken to hide the unevenness of the earth's surface.

The Acropolis complex, in addition to the main historical sites mentioned above, includes the following buildings:

- Bule Gate. Spare entrance to the Acropolis of Athens, which was made in the walls after the battles with the Heruli in 267. The excavations of this area in 1825 were carried out by the French architect Ernest Bule, and the secret gates were named after him.

- Sanctuary of Aphrodite Pandemos. The temple of Aphrodite was located on the right side of the Bule gate. AT modern time only ruins and an architrave remained from the building, which is honorably decorated with garlands and doves.

- Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia. The building is located on the east side, near the ruins of the Mycenaean walls. Pisistratus is considered to be the creator; the cult of Artemis was widespread in his homeland. The temple is made in the form of a Dorian colonnade, which adjoined two "P" shaped wings. Two statues of Artemis were placed in the side colonnades, one of them was created by the great sculptor Praxiteles, and the second was made of wood, the author remained unknown.

— Halkoteka. Directly behind the temple of Artemis was a building designed to store items necessary for religious rites and the worship of the goddess Athena. Halkoteka was supposedly built in the middle of the 5th century BC, the building was reconstructed in the Roman period.

— Temple of Augustus. In 27 B.C. on the east side of the Parthenon, a small round temple with 9 Ionic columns was erected. At the foot of the building there was an inscription: "the temple is dedicated to Roma and Augustus from the grateful Athenians."

— Sanctuary of Zeus Polyeas. In a small temple named after Zeus, a ritual of Dipolia was performed, today rubble of stones remained from the construction. The territory of the building consisted of a rectangular fence, which separated a small temple and a hall of gifts.

- Theater of Dionysus. Enough large area on the south side is occupied by the most ancient theater, created in honor of the god of winemaking. One of the legends says that the inhabitants of Athens took the life of Dionysus, as they mistakenly believed that he wanted to poison them with wine. On this day, it was decided to celebrate the feast of Dionysus, in honor of the murdered god. Mass festivities led to the creation of the first theater. It was here that the theatrical performances of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and others were first shown.

Having passed through entire epochs, the modern Athenian Acropolis has not lost its former grandeur. The significant building captivates tourists with its scale, here each stone keeps centuries-old secrets, saturated with historical events.

A modern project for the restoration of the Athenian Acropolis.

The restoration of the ancient appearance and large-scale restoration work on the territory of the Athenian Acropolis began only at the end of the 19th century, but in general, attempts at the first reconstructions could be called fruitless. In the 70s of the XX century, the immediate intervention of architects and builders was required to preserve the centuries-old heritage. During this period, it was decided to transfer most of the sculptures and bas-reliefs to the territory of museums, one of the main reasons for this was the growing level of environmental pollution.

During the "rescue" work, new, unforeseen problems arose, the foundations of many buildings were unstable. A large number of unique architectural details were among the rubble that remained from past fires, explosions, earthquakes and other cataclysms. The surviving cultural samples needed careful treatment, the creation of chamber conditions, and conservation.

The modern view of the Acropolis is only remotely similar to the one that existed in the "golden" times. small town. Many cultural exhibits can no longer be restored; they were irretrievably destroyed. For example: In the XIII century, a delightful statue of Athena the warrior was taken to Constantinople, a little later it was burned and destroyed. For other structures, restoration work is so extensive that after completion the building loses its former exclusivity and uniqueness, in particular, this concerns the Temple of the Wingless Nike.

The inhabitants of Greece are outraged by the reluctance of the British Museum to return the marble statues of the Parthenon, which were taken out at the beginning of the 19th century by Lord Elgin to England. The British Museum paid Lord £35,000 for the exhibits.

Major works were devoted to the problem of the destruction of marble. Over time, connecting iron structures began to have a negative impact on natural stone, the process was accelerated by active emissions of exhaust gases into the atmosphere. Marble gradually began to turn into limestone. To fix the problem, it was necessary to completely remove the iron structures and replace them with brass ones. In some cases, it was impossible to stop the chemical destruction, some of these exhibits were sent to the museum, and authentic copies were installed in their place.

Today, in the Acropolis of Athens, in parallel with technical work, scientific and archaeological research is being carried out. The goal of the work of scientists is to ensure maximum compliance of the ongoing work with the strict international requirements that apply to the reconstruction of the most significant historical monuments. The ongoing work is managed by the Committee for the Preservation of Acropolis Monuments, funding is provided by the European Union and the Greek state.

Memo to the tourist

The entrance ticket to the Acropolis of Athens is 12 euros, 6 euros for students and pensioners from the European Union, free for children and schoolchildren. This price additionally includes free admission to the Agora, the Temple of Zeus, the theater of Dionysus, the Library of Hadrian, the Cemetery of Ancient Athens. The ticket is valid for 4 days from the date of purchase.

It is better to visit the Acropolis of Athens from the very opening, at 8 in the morning, because after 9 o'clock numerous excursions arrive, and crowds of tourists fill everything. A tour of the Athenian Acropolis takes an average of 4-6 hours. It is recommended to explore the historical ensemble of sights in a group with a guide. AT summer period Be sure to wear a hat and enough water. Shoes for visiting the territory should be comfortable, even in dry weather the trodden paths are very slippery. Take time to visit the new modern Acropolis Museum. It is located 300 meters from the attraction. The glass building stands out noticeably against the background of the general panorama. The unique museum was built on the site of archaeological excavations. A visit to the museum is paid additionally, the price is symbolic - 1 euro.

Free entry:
March 6 (Memorial Day of Melina Mercouri, actress, singer, Minister of Culture)
June 5 (International Environment Day)
April 18 (International Monument Day)
May 18 (International Museum Day)
last weekend of September (European heritage days)

Weekend: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, Holy Spirit Day, December 25, 26.

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History of the Acropolis

According to legend, the founder of Athens and Upper city became a half-man-half-serpent Kekrops. It was he who preferred the goddess of wisdom as the patroness and erected the first temples in honor of her. In subsequent centuries, more magnificent structures appeared on their ruins, until all the buildings of the Acropolis, with the exception of the fragmentary surviving temple of Hekatompedon, were destroyed by the Persians in the 5th century. During the time of Pericles and immediately after his death, the hill was decorated with the best works of ancient architecture - the Parthenon and the Erechtheion.

In the era of early Hellenism and the subordination of Greece to Rome, several theaters appeared at the foot of the hill. Christians turned pagan temples into Christian ones, not rebuilding them, but partially changing the interiors. The Turks who came to the Balkans in the 15th century used the buildings of the Acropolis of Athens as mosques. Significant changes did not occur on the hill until the Venetians bombarded the city with cannons in the 17th century. Many temples were destroyed, and their costly reconstruction has not yet been completed.

In the 19th century, some of the sculptures that adorned the facades of temples were taken to France and Great Britain, and the dispute about their ownership is still ongoing today.

Architectural features of the Athenian Acropolis

The territory of the hill was built up gradually, new buildings were erected on the ruins or unfinished foundations of the former ones. Work was frozen for decades due to lack of funds. In general, even in ancient times, the hill was almost always a construction site. The oldest surviving objects of the Athenian Acropolis, such as the Parthenon, were made at the end of dominance in the architecture of a strict Doric order with massive columns. In structures close to them in time, for example, in the Propylaea, elements of a more decorative Ionic style are already manifesting along with Doric ones. The later Erechtheion is an example of the Ionic architectural order.

Parthenon - the most important temple of Ancient Athens

The central, upper point of the panorama of the Acropolis is the Parthenon temple dedicated to Athena, the patroness of the city. This is the pinnacle of creativity of the architect Iktin, who acted, however, not alone, but with a team of like-minded people. The material for the temple was white marble quarried nearby, which acquired a golden sheen in the sunlight. These features of the stone have become noticeable now, and in ancient times the temple and all the statues were painted in bright colors - red, blue, yellow.

All work, from the creation of the project to the decoration of the Parthenon, was carried out under Pericles, from 447 to 432. BC e. According to the plan of the architects, the temple on the Athenian Acropolis was supposed to surpass all that existed before. Formally, this building is rectangular in plan, resting on three marble steps and surrounded along the perimeter by a colonnade more than 10 m high. People got into the temple through the western entrance with low steps. What tourists see today are steps with columns.

The merit of architects is that they put the laws of optics at the service of architecture. The columns widen in the center, the corner columns and the floor are at an angle - all this gives the observer a feeling of strict straightness. In addition, thanks to the tricks of the architects, the Parthenon looks strictly proportional from any point of view - both from the territory of the Lower City, and when approaching it.

Sculptures of Phidias

A giant, 13-meter statue of Athena, which has not survived to this day, was prepared for the temple by Phidias, the author of one of the wonders of the world - the statue of Olympian Zeus. The wooden figure of the armed warrior goddess, according to historians, was decorated with precious stones, ivory and gold. This is indirectly evidenced by the found records containing builders' reports on the purchased materials - in total, about a ton of metal was spent on the statue. The approximate appearance of the warrior was restored thanks to copies made in antiquity, one of which is stored in National Museum Athens. The goddess in a long robe and helmet leaned on a shield with her left hand, and in her right hand extended to the audience she held a figure of a winged Nike.

In addition to Athena Parthenos, the master, together with his students, made relief metope slabs for the Parthenon frieze. Some of them were taken to Great Britain by Lord Elgin in the 19th century and are now exhibited in the British Museum, in a huge separate room, decorating the marble walls at the level of the visitors' eyes. Quite recently there was a traveling exhibition of the collection in the St. Petersburg Hermitage - an unprecedented case, since the Parthenon sculptures have not yet been exported anywhere. Greece is suing Great Britain in the hope of returning the artifacts to their homeland, since permission to export them was given not by the Greeks themselves, but by the Turks, under whose yoke the country was. However, in Greece there is also something to see: more than 40 original plates have been preserved here. The sculptures of the pediment, unlike the reliefs, almost did not survive and have survived to this day only in fragments.

Further history of the Parthenon

The temple was partially damaged by fire in antiquity, then, in the VI century, after the final decline of Athens, it became a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. During the alteration for the needs of the cult, the statues and the interior of the Parthenon suffered, instead of the previous decor, wall paintings appeared. Under the Turks, starting from the 15th century, the building served as a mosque. All this time, the temple was in relative safety, until in 1687 the Venetians, in another conflict with the Turks, fired at it, provoking destruction. Decorative details were partially taken out of the country. At the end of the 19th century, restoration work began, which has not been completed to this day.

Erechtheion - the memory of the legendary king

Temples were erected not only in honor of the gods, but in memory of mortals. This honor was awarded to King Erechtheus, who, according to legend, was buried in these places. According to another opinion, it was at this point of the Athenian Acropolis, where in 421-406. BC e. Erechtheion appeared, Athena and Poseidon argued for supremacy in the region. Whitened, as you know, Athena, but just in case the temple was dedicated to both. Erechtheus, who ruled Athens, was also not a stranger to the gods: he died at the behest of the angry Poseidon. The picturesque multi-level ruins of the Erechtheion are located north of the Parthenon. The building is made of several varieties of marble - snow-white Parian, golden-white Pentelian and grayish Eleusinian.

Unlike the outwardly rectilinear, majestic Parthenon, the Erechtheion consists of parts of different heights. The reason lies in the unevenness of the soil - the architect had to overcome the features of the relief. Mnesicles took up the matter: earlier he had already justified the trust of Pericles by building the entrance gate to the Acropolis - the Propylaea. In order not to offend the gods, the architect wisely divided the space of the temple: Athena got the eastern part, Poseidon and Erechtheus - the western. The southern portico of the Erechtheion is supported by caryatids - figures of women who replaced the columns. Today, copies of the statues are installed at the place of work of ancient sculptors, the originals are stored in the Acropolis Museum and the British Museum.

The history of the Erechtheion follows the path of the Parthenon: the building survived Christianization and the invasion of the Turks, but was destroyed in the fight against the Venetians. Subsequently, the Italians tried to put together the details, like a designer, so that the general outlines of the temple were restored, but the impression of devastation still remained.

Propylaea - the main gate of the complex

Tourists enter the Acropolis of Athens through the western gate, the Propylaea. The six massive Doric columns in the central part of the entrance resemble the Parthenon, the main part of which was completed by the time of construction. Lateral Ionic columns, lighter and more decorative, relieve the feeling of tension. Once, an art gallery and a library adjoined the gate - archaeologists managed to find traces of them and recreate their outlines in three-dimensional models. Now the general gate complex has been largely restored, the destroyed columns have been replaced with copies.

Temple of Nike Apteros

In front of the main gate, a small temple has been preserved with four Ionic columns with spiral curls at the top, along the edges of the porticos. The sanctuary was called upon to guard the entrance to the Acropolis. Once there was a statue of Athena inside, whose usual companion is Nike, the goddess of victory. Usually she was depicted as winged, but this temple is an exception, it is no coincidence that its patroness received the name Apteros - “wingless”. The reason for this deviation from the canons, according to legend, is a small trick of the Athenians. They stripped Victory of her wings so that she would never leave the city.

The temple was erected during the Peloponnesian War, so the building was decorated with reliefs depicting the victories of the inhabitants of Attica over the Persians and Spartans for further inspiration. The Turks dismantled the temple for building materials in order to build fortifications from the Venetians. Today's temple was restored much later, the original sculptures were given to the New Museum. The active phase of work has not been completed, so the Temple of Nike is often closed to visitors.

Destroyed objects

A few more objects have been preserved in the Acropolis in the form of remnants of the foundation or shapeless ruins. In the eastern part of the complex is the sanctuary of Pandion, supposedly named after the legendary king of Attica. Between the Parthenon and the Erechtheion is Hekatompedon, the most ancient temple Athenian Acropolis. A hundred years before the appearance of the Parthenon, it was the main sanctuary of the patroness of the city of Athens. From it remained the base of the columns discovered during the excavations and limestone sculptures that retained the remnants of paint. To the right of the Propylaea are the modest ruins of the sanctuary of Artemis and the armory. Behind the Erechtheion was the sanctuary of Pandrosa with an altar to Zeus and an olive tree planted by Athena herself. Nearby was a tiny building in which noble girls worked, weaving peplos, women's outerwear, for the statue of Athena for the Panathenaic Games - the largest competition in Attica.

Tourist routes on the Acropolis

It is difficult for a tourist who is not experienced in archeology and architecture to understand the ancient Greek ruins: at first glance, all the ruins are similar to each other, periods and styles are mixed. In order not to get lost, you can choose simple landmarks. The main gate from the west is the Propylaea, a modest temple in front of them is the sanctuary of Nike. The largest rectangular cluster of columns visible in all directions is the Parthenon. A smaller building, harmoniously combining columns of different heights and porticoes decorated with female figures - the Erechtheion. You can also walk along the Acropolis of Athens at night - the objects are illuminated by powerful spotlights.

New Acropolis Museum

The Athens Acropolis Museum, which kept decorative fragments of the buildings of the Upper City, was opened in 1874. Over time, the collection grew so much that the existing halls and storerooms were not enough to store the objects. The new building, much larger than the old one, had to be located near the Acropolis. Misadventures with the project began in the 70s of the twentieth century and lasted until the end of the century: either the Greek authorities could not find suitable architects, or the land plot could not withstand any criticism. Finally, the builders began to dig the ground for the foundation and discovered new archaeological finds. Work in this place was frozen until the architects proposed a project that does not affect the ground layer.

The three-level complex was opened in 2009, 300 meters south of the complex, next to the Acropolis metro station. Its basement rests on a hundred columns, and a glass floor allows you to admire the excavations that take place under the feet of visitors. A fantastic view of the Acropolis opens up through the glass walls. There is a cafe on the ground floor, a souvenir shop and a bookstore on two levels. AT tourist season the museum is waiting for guests from 8 am to 8 pm, on Friday - until 10 pm, on Monday - until 4 pm, in winter it works on a reduced schedule. The ticket price for adults is 5 euros.

Information for tourists

The largest number of tourists come to Athens from April to October, although the Acropolis welcomes guests all year round. Inspection of the complex will take about two hours, you need to plan it for the early morning, around 8, until the marble warms up under the sun. In the evening it is still hot until 6 o'clock, the main flow of organized tourists leaves until 15 o'clock. Be sure to take with you drinking water, shoes are chosen non-slip, without heels.

A ticket to see the Acropolis of Athens with the theaters lying on the slopes of the hill and the nearby Agora and the Temple of Zeus costs 12 euros. It is difficult to see all the attractions at once, so a ticket for one visit to each site is valid for 4 days. There is usually a queue near the ticket office of the Acropolis, you can avoid it if you buy a ticket near another historical monument from the list. During the May Night of Museums and the European Heritage Days in September, the complex can be entered free of charge.

How to get there

Near the Acropolis there are several stops at once public transport. It is most convenient to get off at the metro station of the same name on the M2 line, next to which there is a transfer hub for trams and buses. A little further to the south there is a tram stop 1, 5, 15. Bus number 230 passes from the south. An electric steam locomotive takes guests from the metro and from the Acropolis Museum to the ticket office.

Holidays and festivals in the Acropolis

A breathtaking summer and part of the autumn, the Athens Festival chose Herodes' Odeon, a well-preserved theater built in 165 AD, as one of the main venues. e. Permanent access to it is closed, visitors get inside only during concert events with tickets. The capacity of the theater is about 5000 spectators.

The same fate awaits the theater of Dionysus located on the eastern side of the southern slope of the Acropolis. In the heyday of Attica, competitions of comedians and authors of tragedies were held here; under the Romans, gladiators fought in it. In the process of reconstruction, it is planned to strengthen the remaining stone tiers and add a few more spectator rows to them.

Hotels near the Acropolis

Hotels in the Acropolis area are expensive, but you need to book rooms in them well in advance of the trip due to high demand. Next to the New Museum is the 4-star Herodium, from the southeast - The Athens Gate Hotel, which has earned excellent reviews from guests. A 4-star apart-hotel AVA Hotel and Suites to the east of the hill will cost tourists about one and a half times more than a hotel with rooms.

Restaurants and cafes near the Acropolis

In addition to the museum cafe, you can have a bite to eat in several restaurants along the perimeter of the hill. To the south-west of the Propylaea, at the foot of the semi-wild park "Hill of the Muses", next to bus stop 230, is the restaurant "Dionysos" with magnificent views of the Acropolis from the summer veranda. A little to the east is a restaurant national cuisine"Strophy". On the north side of the hill is the Stamatopoulos tavern, opened back in 1882. The cramped cafe "Klepsydra" is located on a narrow street with graffiti on the walls. Not far from it - "Anafiotika" with live music.

Attractions around the Acropolis

The main historical sights of Athens are concentrated in the Acropolis area. In the east - the ruins of the temple of Olympian Zeus, or rather, one of its corners, the well-preserved temple of Hephaestus and the remains of the laying of the market square-agora - from the northwest. To the west is the Areopagus, a rocky hill where the authorities of Athens met.